France to Remind UNSG Envoy of Relevance Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

Rabat - Jean- Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs said that he will remind Horst Kohler, United Nations Secretary-General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, that the Moroccan Autonomy plan is the most viable consensual solution for four-decade-long conflict over Western Sahara.

Rabat – Jean- Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs said that he will remind Horst Kohler, United Nations Secretary-General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, that the Moroccan Autonomy plan is the most viable consensual solution for four-decade-long conflict over Western Sahara.

During a meeting held on Wednesday in Paris, Le Drian said that the will emphasize to Kohler that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan represents a serious and credible basis for the Western Sahara conflict.

The French official said that he will also recall France’s commitment to full compliance with ceasefire agreements and reaffirm his country’s support for a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions, reported Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

Le Drian also reiterated France’s full support for Kohler in carrying out his mission as well as his country’s commitment to MINURSO.

Le Drian and Kohler will also discuss the activities that Kohler has undertaken since he was appointed in August 2017.

France showed its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan on many occasions whether during bilateral meetings with Morocco officials or at the UN Security Council. France stance on Morocco’s plan was underscored in a statement at the end of the 13th France-Morocco High Level meeting, which took place in Rabat last November. The meeting was co-chaired by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Morocco’s Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani.

During the two-day event, France also reiterated its support for the efforts led by the UN to find a solution to the four-decade long conflict between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

In March 2016, French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Romain Nadal told the press that “For France, the autonomy plan submitted by Morocco 2007 represents a serious and credible basis for a negotiated solution, to the Sahara issue.

He added that France’s position regarding this issue is “well known and has never changed,” adding that Paris supports “ a just, sustainable and mutually acceptable solution under the auspices of the United Nations.”